Alf Filipaina

Alfred Meredith Filipaina MNZM is a New Zealand politician who is an Auckland Councillor.

Filipaina in 2022

Biography

From the mid-1980s until 1997, Filipaina worked as a community constable in Māngere Bridge.^[1]

Political career

Auckland Council

Years	Ward	Affiliation
2010–2013	Manukau		Labour
2013–2016	Manukau		Labour
2016–2019	Manukau		Labour
2019–2022	Manukau		Labour
2022–Present	Manukau		Labour

Filipaina was a Manukau City Councillor prior to the 'Super City' merger of Auckland's councils into Auckland Council in 2010.^[2]

In the inaugural 2010 Auckland Council elections Filipaina was elected from the Manukau ward. He was re-elected in 2013 and 2016.^[3] In 2016 the new mayor, Phil Goff, appointed him deputy chairperson of the environment and communities committee.^[4]

In the 2022 New Year Honours, Filipaina was appointed a Member of the New Zealand Order of Merit, for services to the New Zealand Police and the community.^[5]

In March 2025, Filipaina announced that he will not seek re-election as a Councillor in the 2025 Auckland local elections, and will instead run for the Māngere-Ōtāhuhu Local Board. He had previously been speculated as a potential candidate for Mayor of Auckland.^[6]

Personal life

Filipaina's father was an overstayer, who narrowly avoided deportation during the dawn raids.^[7] One of Filipaina's brothers, Olsen, represented the New Zealand national rugby league team in rugby league. Another, Jerry, once stood for The Family Party in 2008.^[8]